What is this blog about?

The author is a retired priest who assists in the parish of All Hallows, Easton, Bristol. This blog carries carries my thoughts on current topics, including my recent preaching. It originated in order to support the Pope's vision of a new relationship between Anglicanism and the Holy See, but it is not confined to that topic, and includes anything that takes my fancy.

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Today, Maundy Thursday, we remember that at the Last Supper our Lord prayed that his disciples might be one, as he and His Father are one. At this time, many are trying to discern whether Pope Benedict’s invitation to unity is the right way for them, whether this is what our Lord is calling them to now. I offer a few prayers that they may find helpful.

PRAYER FOR THE LIGHT OF TRUTH

In his ‘Meditations and Devotions’, Newman wrote: “I should like an enquirer to say continually…

O my God, I confess that Thou canst enlighten my darkness. I confess that Thou alone canst. I wish my darkness to be enlightened. I do not know whether Thou wilt: but that Thou canst and that I wish, are sufficient reasons for me to ask, what Thou at least hast not forbidden my asking. I hereby promise that by Thy grace which I am asking, I will embrace whatever I at length feel certain is the truth, if ever I come to be certain. And by Thy grace I will guard against all self-deceit which may lead me to take what nature would have, rather than what reason approves.”

A PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, FOR ENGLAND

O blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and our most gentle Queen and Mother: look down in mercy upon England thy dowry, and upon us all who greatly hope and trust in thee. By thee it was that Jesus our Saviour and our Hope was given unto the world, and He has given thee to us, that we might hope still more. Plead for us thy children, whom thou didst receive and accept at the foot of the Cross, O sorrowful Mother. Intercede for our separated brethren, that in the one true fold we may all be united to the Chief Shepherd, Vicar of thy Son. Pray for us all, dear Mother, that by faith made fruitful in good works we may all deserve to see and praise God, together with thee, in our heavenly home. Amen.

Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us.

Venerable John Henry Newman, pray for us.

THE PILLAR OF THE CLOUD

Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom, lead Thou me on;

The night is dark, and I am far from home, lead Thou me on.

Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see

The distant scene; one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou shouldest lead me on;

I loved to choose and see my path; but now lead Thou me on.

I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,

Pride ruled my will: remember not past years.

So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still will lead me on

O’er moor and fen, or crag and torrent, till the night is gone,

And with the morn those Angel faces smile,

Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.

May God lead us all home, one step at a time: like Newman, we have a work to do.